Best Deal?
NEWBiker0928
Posts: 3
Hey all,
I am fairly new to cycling and am planning to make a road bike purchase soon. There's an overwhelming amount of detail in the road bike world that's making selecting the right bike a serious challenge for me. Hopefully you guys can help me figure out which bike would best suit my needs and what the best deal might be.
Considerations
-I just moved to Denver (from FL) so am expecting to encounter some serious climbing
-I don't plan on riding competitively, just for exercise
-I do hope to achieve the fitness level required to push myself to 100mile rides, so comfort is a key factor in a bike
The first issue I encountered was deciding whether to purchase a new bike vs a used one. A new bike would obv be safer, with manufacturer warranty and bike shop servicing. But for the same price the LBS charges on new bikes, I see much higher end models with better components on craigslist(CL). What other considerations should I make in this regard?
With that being said, there are several bikes I am considering. Which of the following bikes is the best deal? Also, are there notable differences between these bike types/geometries/components that would make them a good or bad fit for a beginner?
Here's what I've found (They all have the right frame size to fit me)
NEW
1.) 2013 Orbea Orca B105 (Full Carbon w/ Shimano 105s) on sale for $1,699
2.) 2015 Specialized Allez (aluminum w/ Shimano Tiagra) $1,179
3.) 2013 Specialized Allez (aluminum w/ Shimano 105s) $1,200
The 2015 Allez has integrated brake cables and a much nicer paint (looks matter just a little bit)
But the 2013 Allez, for essentially the same price has upgraded, albeit older, components. 15' Tiagra vs 13' 105s.. Better Deal?
Then, the 13' Orbea is only $500 more than the specialized bikes and is FULL Carbon. Although, after test riding, I noticed the full carbon orbea is only slightly lighter than the specialized bikes, but it is stiff and aggressively positioned.
USED
CL seems to have some good deals I can't ignore.
4.) 2013 Specialized Allez (Unknown components/awaiting reply/assuming tiagra) Apparently Unridden $700
http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/4567257712.html
5.) Specialized Secteur Elite (Uknown year/components/awaiting reply) Apparently Unridden $800
http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/4541728225.html
6.) Cannondale Synapse Full Carbon Bike (unknown year/105 compenents) Updated Bontrager Saddle + pedals $1450
http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/4570179448.html
7.) 2013 Orbea Orca B105 (Full Carbon w/ S.105s) Apparently Unridden $1450
http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/4529641821.html
8.) Tommasini Fire (Steel Frame, Carbon Fork, Dura Ace components) $1450
The 13' Allez seems like a good deal, but I used to ride a Giant Defy w/105, too much of a downgrade?
Same with Secteur (although I imagine a more comfortable ride if the fork is carbon and the more upright position)
I know nothing of Cannondale Carbon bikes. Anyone have info on the comfort or performance of the full carbon synapse bikes? This seems like a good deal if the bike is in good shape.
13' Orbea Orca B105 is the one I am most interested in. I'll save a few hundred bucks compared to the bike shop's NEW b105, and the CL one seems unused and flawless. Worth the savings to have no warranty? Or, does anyone know if Orbea has lifetime warranty on their frames? Does such a thing even exist in the bike industry?
Finally, anyone know anything about steel frames? or the Tommasini company? apparently theyre hand built in Italy, and the dura ace compenents are appealing. I imagine I could safely commute with a steel frame, but not sure about the weight.
Honestly, I am between the New Orbea from LBS vs the CL one. But any insight into the other bikes would be greatly appreciated. I am open to suggestions on which would be a better deal or better fit for me (a newb). I recognize I am a little bit over my head in the bike selection game. But these questions are hard to articulate inside of an actual bike shop. For example, today I was questioning a sales rep about the differences between allez and secteur, but when it became clear that I was not purchasing today, the rep promptly gave me her card, politely told me to give her a call when I wanted to test ride them this week (it was raining) and moved on to a middle aged gentelmen who looked eager to buy something. I wasn't offended, but I came here hoping you guys could actually take the time to help me out, since your obv not interested in the sale commission (as the rep clearly was).
Looking forward to future discussion
Thanks for the help,
-Chris
I am fairly new to cycling and am planning to make a road bike purchase soon. There's an overwhelming amount of detail in the road bike world that's making selecting the right bike a serious challenge for me. Hopefully you guys can help me figure out which bike would best suit my needs and what the best deal might be.
Considerations
-I just moved to Denver (from FL) so am expecting to encounter some serious climbing
-I don't plan on riding competitively, just for exercise
-I do hope to achieve the fitness level required to push myself to 100mile rides, so comfort is a key factor in a bike
The first issue I encountered was deciding whether to purchase a new bike vs a used one. A new bike would obv be safer, with manufacturer warranty and bike shop servicing. But for the same price the LBS charges on new bikes, I see much higher end models with better components on craigslist(CL). What other considerations should I make in this regard?
With that being said, there are several bikes I am considering. Which of the following bikes is the best deal? Also, are there notable differences between these bike types/geometries/components that would make them a good or bad fit for a beginner?
Here's what I've found (They all have the right frame size to fit me)
NEW
1.) 2013 Orbea Orca B105 (Full Carbon w/ Shimano 105s) on sale for $1,699
2.) 2015 Specialized Allez (aluminum w/ Shimano Tiagra) $1,179
3.) 2013 Specialized Allez (aluminum w/ Shimano 105s) $1,200
The 2015 Allez has integrated brake cables and a much nicer paint (looks matter just a little bit)
But the 2013 Allez, for essentially the same price has upgraded, albeit older, components. 15' Tiagra vs 13' 105s.. Better Deal?
Then, the 13' Orbea is only $500 more than the specialized bikes and is FULL Carbon. Although, after test riding, I noticed the full carbon orbea is only slightly lighter than the specialized bikes, but it is stiff and aggressively positioned.
USED
CL seems to have some good deals I can't ignore.
4.) 2013 Specialized Allez (Unknown components/awaiting reply/assuming tiagra) Apparently Unridden $700
http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/4567257712.html
5.) Specialized Secteur Elite (Uknown year/components/awaiting reply) Apparently Unridden $800
http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/4541728225.html
6.) Cannondale Synapse Full Carbon Bike (unknown year/105 compenents) Updated Bontrager Saddle + pedals $1450
http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/4570179448.html
7.) 2013 Orbea Orca B105 (Full Carbon w/ S.105s) Apparently Unridden $1450
http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/4529641821.html
8.) Tommasini Fire (Steel Frame, Carbon Fork, Dura Ace components) $1450
The 13' Allez seems like a good deal, but I used to ride a Giant Defy w/105, too much of a downgrade?
Same with Secteur (although I imagine a more comfortable ride if the fork is carbon and the more upright position)
I know nothing of Cannondale Carbon bikes. Anyone have info on the comfort or performance of the full carbon synapse bikes? This seems like a good deal if the bike is in good shape.
13' Orbea Orca B105 is the one I am most interested in. I'll save a few hundred bucks compared to the bike shop's NEW b105, and the CL one seems unused and flawless. Worth the savings to have no warranty? Or, does anyone know if Orbea has lifetime warranty on their frames? Does such a thing even exist in the bike industry?
Finally, anyone know anything about steel frames? or the Tommasini company? apparently theyre hand built in Italy, and the dura ace compenents are appealing. I imagine I could safely commute with a steel frame, but not sure about the weight.
Honestly, I am between the New Orbea from LBS vs the CL one. But any insight into the other bikes would be greatly appreciated. I am open to suggestions on which would be a better deal or better fit for me (a newb). I recognize I am a little bit over my head in the bike selection game. But these questions are hard to articulate inside of an actual bike shop. For example, today I was questioning a sales rep about the differences between allez and secteur, but when it became clear that I was not purchasing today, the rep promptly gave me her card, politely told me to give her a call when I wanted to test ride them this week (it was raining) and moved on to a middle aged gentelmen who looked eager to buy something. I wasn't offended, but I came here hoping you guys could actually take the time to help me out, since your obv not interested in the sale commission (as the rep clearly was).
Looking forward to future discussion
Thanks for the help,
-Chris
0
Comments
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Buy the new Orbea. The world and his wife ride a Specialized so it's a bit different and still a great bike. The saving on the second hand one isn't worth it my opinion. The big caveat being that it fits you. If it was me though I'd have the Tommasini, but I've got a soft spot for steel frames.FCN 7
Aravis Audax, Moulton TSR0 -
Tommasini Fire, no doubt about it0
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I would get the brand new Orbea (they have lifetime warranty) or the Tommasini, the one that fits best really.x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra0 -
Thanks for the input guys. The new orbea was fast on the test ride, and I imagine I would really enjoy taking it on long group rides and such. I will be meeting with the Tommasini Fire owner this weekend. I've never ridden steel, but I'm looking forward to testing it out.0
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If the Tommasini fits, buy it.0
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I'm for the Tommasini. Its a fantastic bike for the price, and if you look after steel, it'll last you a very long time. In a couple of years, upgrade the group set or wheels (if you need to) and it'll feel like a new bike!0
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muppetteer wrote:I'm for the Tommasini. Its a fantastic bike for the price, and if you look after steel, it'll last you a very long time. In a couple of years, upgrade the group set or wheels (if you need to) and it'll feel like a new bike!
Stainless Steel is not easy to weld and is prone to fatigue where the Chromium used to weld the joints is. They are not as long lasting as you would immediately imagine.0
